Our Charges
We set out below pricing information for probate work in relation to uncontested cases where all the assets are in the UK. This includes both testate (where there is a will) and intestate (where there is no will) estates and taxable (for inheritance tax) and non-taxable estates.
Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets:
Non taxable estate
We anticipate this will take between 30 and 50 hours work at £250 per hour. Total costs estimated at £7,500 – £12,500 (+VAT) excluding any disbursements.
We charge on a time spent basis. We do not charge based on a percentage of the estate or on a fixed fee basis but in certain circumstances we may be prepared to do so.
We normally arrange for our fees to be paid from funds held in the estate.
The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end of the range. Should it appear that we are likely to exceed the top end of the estimate we will provide an updated estimate before carrying out any further work.
We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:
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There is a valid will
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There is no ongoing trust and the deceased was not a beneficiary of any trust;
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There are no foreign assets in the estate;
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There is no more than one property
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There are no more than 7-10 bank or building society accounts;
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There are no other intangible assets
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There are 1-4 beneficiaries
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There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
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There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full Inheritance Tax account to HMRC
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There are no claims made against the estate
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The estate does not need to be registered with HMRC as a complex estate
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Disbursements
No disbursements are included in the fee.
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
The following are the usual disbursements required but, in some cases, additional disbursements may be necessary. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information:
-
Probate application fee (£155 plus £1.50 per copy) – (These maybe subject to change but proposals currently on hold)
-
Bankruptcy – only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
-
S27 advertisement in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors (£83 set fee)
-
S27 advertisement in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims. (varies depending on which paper and the size of the advertisement, as a guide recent advertisement in Barnet Borough Times was £128)
-
Land Registry fees
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Stockbroker fees
-
Potential additional costs
-
If there is no will and/or the estate consists of any shareholdings (stocks and bonds) there are likely to be additional costs and disbursements that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
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-
Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
-
-
Dealing with any contentious aspects relating to the Will/Estate is not included.
-
-
Dealing with income and capital gains tax returns and registration of complex estate with HMRC is not included and there is a separate cost for this work which will be advised in advance of the work being undertaken.
-
We may need to instruct an accountant or other professional e.g, barrister to deal with complex technical/legal tax issues. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
-
-
If the estate contains foreign assets and/or if any personal representative/ beneficiary is overseas there are likely to be additional costs and disbursements. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
-
-
If the will contains any trust eg, nil rate band discretionary or life interest or other discretionary trust, or if the deceased was a beneficiary of any trust there are likely to be additional costs. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
How long will this take?
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 10-14 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of representation takes 4-6 months. Collecting assets and post grant work then follows including obtaining clearance from HMRC in respect of Inheritance tax and Income and Capital Gains tax for the estate and distribution of the estate which normally takes 6-8 months.
Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets:
Taxable estate
We anticipate this will take between 60 and 100 hours work at £250 per hour. Total costs estimated at £15,000 – £25,000 (+VAT) excluding any disbursements.
We charge on a time spent basis. We do not charge based on a percentage of the Estate or a fixed fee basis but in certain circumstances we may be prepared to do so.
We normally arrange for our fees to be paid from funds held in the estate.
The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, if there is one beneficiary and no property, costs will be at the lower end of the range. If there are multiple beneficiaries, a property and multiple bank accounts, costs will be at the higher end of the range. Should it appear that we are likely to exceed the top end of the estimate we will to provide an updated estimate before carrying out any further work.
We will handle the full process for you. This quote is for estates where:
-
There is a valid will
-
There is no ongoing trust and the deceased was not a beneficiary of any trust
-
There are no foreign assets in the estate
-
There is no more than one property
-
There are no more than 7-10 bank or building society accounts
-
There are no other intangible assets
-
There are 1-4 beneficiaries
-
There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
-
Inheritance tax is payable and the executors need to submit a full Inheritance Tax account to HMRC
-
Negotiations with HMRC regarding the Inheritance Tax Account/A corrective account and or a claim for loss relief on sale of shares/land may be required
-
There are no claims made against the estate
Disbursements
No disbursements are included in the fee. Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
The following are the usual disbursements required but, in some cases, additional disbursements may be necessary. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information:
-
Probate application fee (£155 plus £1.50 per copy) (These maybe subject to change but proposals currently on hold)
-
Bankruptcy – only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary)
-
S27 advertisement in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors (£83 set fee)
-
S27 advertisement in a Local Newspaper – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims. (varies depending on which paper and the size of the advertisement, as a guide recent advertisement in Barnet Borough Times was £128)
-
Land Registry fees
-
Stockbroker fees
-
Potential additional costs
-
If there is no will and/or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there are likely to be additional costs and disbursements that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
-
-
Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
-
-
Dealing with any contentious aspects relating to the Will/Estate is not included.
-
-
Dealing with income and capital gains tax returns and registration of complex estate with HMRC is not included and there is a separate cost for this work which will be advised in advance of the work being undertaken.
-
-
We may need to instruct an accountant or other professional eg, barrister or surveyor to deal with complex technical/legal tax issues. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
-
-
If the estate contains foreign assets, and/or if any personal representative/beneficiary is overseas there are likely to be additional costs and disbursements. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
-
-
If the will contains any trust eg, nil rate band discretionary or life interest or other discretionary trust, and or if the deceased was a beneficiary of any trust there are likely to be additional costs. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
All references to VAT are at the standard rate i.e. 20%.
How long will this take?
On average, estates that fall within this range are dealt with within 12-18 months. Typically, obtaining the grant of representation takes 4-6 months. Collecting assets and post grant work then follows including obtaining clearance from HMRC in respect of Inheritance tax and Income and Capital Gains tax for the estate and distribution of the estate which normally takes 8-12 months.